Reviving the Rhythms of New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS, La., Aug. 28, 2006 — -- The Dirty Dozen Brass Band played to a packed house in New Orleans on Saturday as the legendary music club Tipitina's continued its efforts to revive the city's musical scene nearly one year after Hurricane Katrina hit.

On the eve of the anniversary, the club is now a haven for the city's musicians.

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"Most musicians don't have anywhere in the city of New Orleans to live," said Bill Taylor, executive director of the Tipitina's Foundation. "A lot of bands had to adapt -- they might have some members in Atlanta, some members in Houston, some members in Memphis and they have to make it work."

To lure artists back, the nonprofit foundation has provided resources such as housing, clothing and accounting services in an effort to rebuild New Orleans' musical soul, which is famously linked to Tipitina's.

"The Neville Brothers started playing here, Dr. John, Fats Domino, all the really great New Orleans names and bands have played here and continue to play here," Taylor said. "It's a musical shrine."

And he's drawing on some of those names for his fundraising efforts.

Fats Domino was rescued from the Lower Ninth Ward after the storm last year and released his first album in 13 years, "Alive and Kickin'," to the rebuilding effort.

The foundation is using the funds to benefit professional musicians, local high school artists and anyone willing to breathe new life into the city's storied musical tradition.

For the official one-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina on Tuesday, the Tipitina's Foundation is donating $500,000 worth of instruments to 11 high schools in New Orleans.

"You cannot separate music from everyday life in New Orleans," Taylor said. "It's something that you live and breathe here."

And though the wind was knocked out of them one year ago, the artists who remain are determined to bring the music back.

ABC News' Matthew German contributed to this report.